Wiring 3-way switch with multiple lights


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Old 12-13-10, 01:55 PM
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Wiring 3-way switch with multiple lights

Having trouble with this 3-way set up. Power is coming in from source to four lights first and then to the two 3-way switches. Here's how I have it wired currently.
12-2 from source, between all lights, and to the first switch. 12-3 between first and last switch. The black from source runs to each light in sequence and attaches to each light's black wire via pigtail. The black from the last light runs continuous through the first switch box and attaches to the common on the last switch. Then red and white travellers run from traveller terminals back to the first switch's traveller terminals. Then white runs from common screw on first switch back to whites on each light, also attached by pigtail. Obviously, since I am posting this, this arangement doesn't work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Old 12-13-10, 02:27 PM
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You do not have enough wires run between the fixtures to get this to work.

Is all the work covered or can this be re-worked?
 
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Old 12-13-10, 02:29 PM
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Not covered. Can be redone.
 
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Old 12-13-10, 02:29 PM
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What I gather from the description is that the wiring at light #1 is wrong.

--- is 12/2 and === is 12/3

I assume you have this now:

Power----Light1---Light2---Light3---Light4---Switch1===Switch2

To correct this you need to need to rewire to have power come at Light4, Switch1 or Switch2.
 
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Old 12-13-10, 08:19 PM
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easiest way would be to bring power to either switch one or switch 2. you could accomplish this by running a 2 wire jumper from light 1 to switch 1 or 2. I usually always try and wire my 3 way setups with the power at one switch and the switch leg at the other box.
 
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Old 12-14-10, 11:00 AM
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What you want to do looks like option 6 on this page:

Installing A 3-way Switch With Wiring Diagrams - The Home Improvement Web Directory

If you can have the power source go first to the end 3-way, you would be at option #5 on that page, which is simpler, I think. That's how my basement lights are wired.
 

Last edited by bw777; 12-14-10 at 01:00 PM.
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Old 01-31-11, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bw777
What you want to do looks like option 6 on this page:

Installing A 3-way Switch With Wiring Diagrams - The Home Improvement Web Directory

If you can have the power source go first to the end 3-way, you would be at option #5 on that page, which is simpler, I think. That's how my basement lights are wired.
Just curious: is diagram 7 on that page legal? I read somewhere else that using two 2-conductor wires is illegal and dangerous.
 
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Old 01-31-11, 05:29 PM
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Cool Wiring 3-way switch with multiple lights

Hello yorkbikeman


Here is a fast drawing I made on how to wire up your
project.. I did not draw in all the green equiptment grounding wires




Hope this helps ---

Let us know how you made out with your wiring project

Have A Nice Day
Linesman
 
 

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